LoL: What is LCP?

The League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) is the APAC's premier League of Legends esports league. It features four franchised teams that are permanently part of the competition (CTBC Flying Oyster, TALON, Softbanks HAWKS, GAM Esports), and four guest teams (Chiefs Esports Club, DetonatioN FM, MGN Vikings Esports, and Team Secret Whales).

The inception of the LCP was driven by the desire to consolidate talent and resources from the Pacific Championship Series (PCS), Vietnam Championship Series (VCS), League of Legends Japan League (LJL), and League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO). This merger was designed to create a more robust and competitive environment, fostering the growth of esports within the region. The decision was also influenced by the need to restore integrity and competitiveness following a significant cheating scandal in Vietnam, which had cast a shadow over the region's esports scene.

The LCP's inaugural split in 2025 showcased the region's potential on the global stage. CTBC Flying Oyster, a Taiwanese team, won the first LCP title with a 3-1 victory over Talon Esports in the finals. This triumph secured their spot in the First Stand 2025 tournament, where they delivered an outstanding performance by defeating the champions of the LEC, LTA, and LPL. This series of victories marked a significant turnaround for a region that had struggled for so many years at international competitions, signaling the emergence of a new hub for Asian esports talent.

The LCP's hybrid model, combining partner and guest teams with promotion and relegation mechanisms, has fostered a more competitive environment. This structure ensures that teams continually strive for excellence, maintaining high standards within the league. In summary, the LCP's formation has been a strategic success for Riot Games, enhancing operational efficiency, competitive integrity, and global recognition for the Asia-Pacific esports scene.

The story of the LCP’s greatness is built on the shoulders of legendary players and teams, each generation paving the way for the next. It all began in 2012 when the Taipei Assassins (TPA) shocked the world by winning the second World Championship. Their victory over Azubu Frost in the Season 2 finals put the Asia-Pacific region on the map, proving that the West and Korea were not the only forces to be reckoned with. For years, however, that success remained an anomaly—APAC teams struggled to reclaim the international spotlight as competition evolved worldwide.

But the region never stopped producing exceptional talent. As League of Legends grew, names like Huang "Maple" Yi-Tang and Hung "Karsa" Hao-Hsuan emerged, leading the LMS (the precursor to the PCS) to strong international performances. At the same time, Vietnam’s rise was spearheaded by Đỗ "Levi" Duy Khánh, a jungler who became famous for his aggressive, playmaking style that turned GAM Esports into a feared dark horse at MSI and Worlds for several years in a row. TALON (formerly PSG TALON) took the torch from the LMS era, dominating the PCS and regularly challenging the best teams in the world.

Yet, despite their resilience, APAC squads often found themselves just short of breaking into the elite tier of international play. Then came 2025—the year everything changed, as previously explained. No longer just an underdog region, the LCP had officially arrived as a major force in the global League of Legends.

As for all major regions since 2025, the LCP has been built on a three-split structure throughout the year. Matches are played offline and broadcasted live in multiple languages to cater to a diverse audience. They are watchable on Twitch and YouTube in English on the official broadcast and in Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese.